by Chris Pfaff, Xavier Sportswriter

Xavier Spiritline traveled to Campo Verde High School in the east valley last weekend to put their POM and JAZZ routines to the test in preparation for this week’s State Tournament.

The Gator POM routine placed 8th out of 15 teams (the standings list below is incorrect), while the JAZZ routine placed 11th out of 13 teams.

PUTTING THEIR PLACES IN PERSPECTIVE

This week, the Gator Spiritline POM team will compete in two events in the Dance portion of State: Small POM and Small JAZZ.

• Small refers to Dance teams consisting of 4 to 13 athletes.
• Large refers to Dance teams having 14 to 36 athletes.

At the Cactus Cup Challenge, Small and Large Dance teams competed against each other. Large POM and JAZZ teams have advantages over the Small Dance teams. What is the advantage? Below is the AI Overview response to a Google Search of that question:

So, while Xavier POM and JAZZ (both Small Dance teams) took 8th and 11th place respectively, only two other Small Dance teams took part in the Cactus Cup Challenge competition, according to Pom Coach Maya McCann.

Coach McCann gave a positive assessment of her Dance teams:
“We[, having Small Dance teams,] competed against [Large Dance] teams . . . this last weekend after having to re space our routines in one day due to one of our teammates having emergency surgery! This team has moved with such determination, and truly represented what it means to be Woman of Faith pursuing excellence!

I ask that we do our best to cheer these girls on as they prepare to take the floor for State Prelims! Our chances are looking good, and I know they will do great. But we need all the support we can get from our Xavier Gators! This year has been tough for these athletes, but with the help of our community we can accomplish anything we put our minds to!”

Xavier Spiritline competes at State at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (1/16 thru 1/18):

• Thursday Dance (prelims):
  – 10:10am – Small POM
  – 3:05pm – Small JAZZ
• Friday Cheer (prelims):
  – 9:20am – Small ALL-GIRL STUNT
• Saturday Dance & Cheer (finals)
  – 9:00am – D1 Small ALL-GIRL STUNT Final, if we qualify
  – 3:30pm – D1 Small POM Final, if we qualify
  – 6:50pm – Small JAZZ Final, if we qualify

Go Gators!